site.btaRamazan Bayram Begins in Turkiye with Festive Namaz in 90,000 Mosques

Ramazan Bayram, one of the two main Islamic holidays celebrated by millions of Muslims around the world, began on Sunday with a traditional communal prayer, known as the festive namaz (Bayram namaz), held in around 90,000 mosques throughout Turkiye.

Often referred to as Seker Bayram (bayram in Turkish means “holiday,” and seker means “sugar” or “candy”), this celebration marks the end of a month of fasting (oruc).

For believers, the Ramazan Bayram prayer in the morning hours is an expression of unity, brotherhood, sharing, and reciprocity for the sake of the Almighty. In Hagia Sophia, considered Istanbul’s largest and most representative mosque after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revoked its museum status by presidential decree in 2020, the president of Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Ali Erbas, led the ritual prayer and delivered the traditional sermon. Afterwards, worshippers performed the obligatory rites. The festive namaz, which lasts 35-40 minutes, is attended only by men.

This year’s Ramazan Bayram takes place against the backdrop of protests supporting the arrested Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, who is also the presidential candidate of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Demonstrations have shaken Istanbul and other cities since March 19.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said his party would not convey holiday greetings to President Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) or to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of Erdogan’s ally Devlet Bahceli, in protest against the mass arrests made during the pro-Imamoglu demonstrations, reported the opposition television channel Halk. This is the first time in Turkiye’s recent history that political leaders have broken with the tradition of exchanging greetings during the holiday—a tradition that symbolises forgiveness.

All financially capable Muslims are required to donate zekat and fitre on behalf of themselves and their family members to those in need. The amount is determined by the Diyanet; the minimum fitre this year is set at TRY 180 (approximately EUR 3.70).

It is a custom for children to visit relatives, neighbours, and friends, kiss their hands, and extend holiday wishes. In return, adults give them sweets, small gifts, or pocket money. Children then compare how many treats or how much money each has received.

The government has extended the holiday to nine days in total, incorporating four days off and designating April 2, 3, and 4 as administrative leave for public employees. Pupils are currently on a spring mid-term break. However, the private sector and private banks will remain open.

During the Bayram holiday, which lasts through Wednesday evening, the Marmaray rail link under the Bosphorus and certain Istanbul metro lines are free of charge. Travel across the two Bosphorus bridges—15 July Martyrs Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge—is also free.

Well-wishes exchanged in person and via text messages often highlight desires for health, prosperity, and better economic conditions, reflecting current challenges with inflation and rising living costs. 

Meanwhile, Turkiye has seen a surge in citizens seeking express visas to visit certain Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, as the Greek government’s policy introduced last year has been extended for the new tourist season.